Match-box.



s. n. ODEAN.

MATCH BOX.

(Application filed Dec. 11, 1899.)

No. 664,576. Patented Dec. 25, 1901:.

(No Model.)

N s/EN TO R GUSTAYUS R. ODEANI BY -I/S QTTORNEYS,

THE Noam: PEYEIS cu. vnofaurnu. wnsmucwn. u.=:.

UNITED STATES PATENTM OFFICE.

GUSTAVUS R. ODEAN, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

MATCH-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 664,576, dated December25, 1900.

Application filed December 11, 1899. serial No. 739,934. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUsTAvUs R. ODEAN, of the city of Minneapolis,county of Hennepin, State of Minnesota, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Match- Boxes,of which the following is aspecification.

This. invention relates to pocket matchboxes; and one object of theinvention is to provide a match-box that is adapted is automaticallyeject and light a match when a catch upon the box is operated.

A further and particular object of the invention is to'provide anautomatic matchlighting box of a simple and cheap construction.

, The invention consists in a box for matches, in combination with astriker therein and a spring-actuated lid or lever having an ejectorattached to it, which latter upon the release of the lid or leverwithdraws or ejects a match from the box, forcing the same past thestriker to ignite the match.

The invention also consists in constructions and combinations of parts,all as hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in theciaims.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a sectional perspective viewof a match-box embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 is a similar view thereof,showing the springactuated lid in its closed position. Fig. 3 is a viewof the top of the box withthe lid removed. Fig. 4 is a perspective Viewof the ejector, enlarged. Figs. 5 and 6 are respective views of the sideand bottom blanks of the box.

As shown in the drawings, I prefer to form the box 2 with a longitudinalchannel or tube 3 in one edge thereof made by forming the groove 4 inthe sides of the box. The opening or slot between the inner walls of thebox at the grooves 4 is sufficiently large to admit one match at a timeto the longitudinal groove or tube 3. In this tube is the ejector,comprising one or two (preferably two) wires 5, the lower ends of whichare joined by the footpiece 6. The upper ends are attached to the lid 7,that is attached to the box by a hinge 8.

9 is a catch upon the lid or lever 7, and 10 is a catch in the box.

11 is the spring for the cover.

A match that falls into the tube portion 3 of the box will rest upon thefoot 6 when the lid is closed, and when the lid is freed by thedisengagement of the catches 9 and 10 the lid will fly open andwill drawout the match. I prefer to make the catch 10 integral with the striker,though this is not necessary, as the parts may be independent. 12 ismade to completely fill the top of the box and has the two studs 13ext-ending through the sides of the box as pivots. The rear end of thelever is provided with alug 14, extending through a slot 15 in the backof the box, whereby the lever may be lifted to throw the latch 10 out ofengagement with the latch 9. The spring 11 is preferably a flat spring,substantially V-shaped, held by lugs 16, turned from the top of the box,the spring being caught between the same and the hinge edge. The lowerleaf of the spring presses upon the lever 12, serving as the springtherefor. The forwardly upwardly turned end 17 of the lever 12, thatcarries the book 10, is provided with a roughened surface 18 and formsthe striker.

The box may beindented at 19, as shown, if desired, to force the head ofthe match against the striker; but this maybe dispensed with,particularly as the striker is moved and held firmly in the path of thematch-head when the lever 12 is raised to release the spring-lid.

If desired, the combined lever and closure 12 may be made removable topermit the filling of the box; but I prefer to provide the box with ahinged bottom 20 for this purpose, the catch 21 being preferably formedinte: grally with the bottom 20 to engage a projection 22 in the bottomof the box, formed by indenting the sheet metal.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. An automatic match-lighting box, comprising a boxprovided with a spring-actuated cover, a catch whereby the same isnormally held in a closed position, a match-striker, and an ejectorarranged in the box attached to and The catch-lever movable with saidcover, and whereby upon the release of the cover a match is ejected fromthe box.

2. An automatic match-lighting box, comprising a box to contain matches,in combination, with a spring-actuated covertherefor, saidcover-operating as a lever, a catch normally holding the latter in itsclosed position, a striker provided in said box,and an ejector arrangedin the box attached to said cover and movable therewith upon the releaseof the cover to eject or force a match from the box past said striker,to ignite the match.

3. An automatic match-lighting box, comprising a box to contain matches,a lid or cover hinged thereon, an ejector comprising wires attached tothe free end of the cover and extending into the box, a footpiecethereon'within the box, a striker, a catch for said lid or cover, and asingle spring operating said catch and cover, substantially asdescribed.

4. An automatic match-lighting box, comprising a box provided with ahinged springactuated lid or cover,a striker provided within the box, anejector, and a movable lid or cover catch forming a closure for the topof the box when said spring-actuated cover is open, sub.

stantially as described.

5. An automatic match-lighting box, comprising a box having a tubeportion, an ejector slidable in said tube portion, a springactuated lidfor said box whereto said ejector is connected and by which it isoperated, and a combined catch, closure and striker provided in theupper part of the box, substantially as described.

'6. An automatic match-lighting box, comprising a box having alongitudinal tube portion, a spring-actuated ejector included andslidable longitudinally within the alls of said tube portion and adaptedto engage the ends of the matches as they enter said tube portion one ata time, a catch whereby said ejector is normally held, and a striker,substantially as described.

7. -An automatic match-lighting box, comprising a box having a tubeportion, a spring actuated lid or cover for said box, an ejectorslidable in said tube portion and connected with said cover, a strikerprovidedin the path of said ejector, and a catch whereby said ejectorand cover are normally held, substantially as described.

8. An an tomatic match-lighting box wherein the matches arelongitudinally arranged,

lid or cover therefor, an ejector operating 1ongitudinally within saidbox, and a combined cover-catch and striker provided near said ejector,substantially as described.

9. An automatic match-lighting box, comprising a box having a tubed orrecessed portion in its walls adapted to receive matches one at a time,a spring-actuated ejector comprising Wires 5 and a footpiece 6 arrangedwithin said tubed portion, a striker provided near said ejector and acatch whereby said ejector is normally held, substantially as described.

,10. An automatic match-lighting box, comprising a box'adapted tocontain matches, a spring-actuated lid or cover therefor, an ejectorprovided in said box and connected with said cover, a lever 12 providedin the top of the box beneath said cover, and a combined cover-catch andmatch-striker provided on said lever near said ejector, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 28th day ofNovember, 1899, at Minneapolis, Minnesota.

GUSTAVUS R. ODEAN.

In presence of- O. G. HAWLEY, M. E. GooLEY.

comprising a box, a hinged spring-actuated

